Handling Difficult Conversations

C1 · Advanced1 hr 5 minBusiness English AdvancedLesson 6 of 8 · Outline

Aims

Goal: open and steer a conversation you'd rather avoid — facts before feelings, 'I' statements, a specific ask, and consequences framed as benefits: the DESC model.

The lesson, stage by stage

  1. Warm up5 min

    Warm-up: The conversation you're avoiding

    2 warm-up questions

  1. Reading10 min

    Reading: Navigating Difficult Conversations

    Read a 350-word text about Navigating Difficult Conversations

  2. Framework6 min

    Framework: The DESC Model for Difficult Conversations

    DESC Conversation Model, 4 steps

  3. Reading10 min

    Reading: Three model difficult moments

    Read a 423-word text about Three model difficult moments

  4. Practice7 min

    Practice: Difficult Conversation Phrases

    Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

  5. Practice7 min

    Practice: Productive vs. Counterproductive Phrases

    Matching exercise, 5 items

  6. Dialogue10 min

    Dialogue: Addressing Team Conflict

    Role-play: Two of your team members are in conflict. Their tension is affecting the whole team's performance. You need to address it. (3 lines)

  7. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: Your mission: have the conversation

    3 discussion questions

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This plan comes from the Leadership & Management Language course in the Tuton library. Browse all free lesson plans.